DOVER, Del.- The Capital School District's decision to suspend in-person classes at its middle school campus on Friday and Monday has drawn some scrutiny.
In an email to district families, Assistant Superintendent Victoir T. Cahoon, Ed.D., mentioned that the district is unlikely to hire additional teachers this academic year.
Cahoon further explained that the district has "reached a point where adjusting schedules and resources within the middle school campus is the best way to improve the level of services that all of our students receive."
The plan now is for the Middle School of Excellence and the School of Innovation to transition to asynchronous learning on Dec. 15 & 18.
This Thursday, Dec. 14, students will be sent home with instructional packets that they will complete over the two days and will receive a new class schedule upon their return to school on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
District parent Josh Miller thinks it's not a solution.
"Everyone is having staffing issues at this point and there is no reason to use that as an excuse to take kids out of the classroom when we have seen that does nothing but hurt them," he shared, explaining his view that remote learning should only be allowed under a state of emergency or poor weather conditions.
He believes the work packets will not allow students to learn effectively and fears the wider impact of the plan.
"You are asking parents, with less than a weeks notice, to take off from work and a lot of parents can't do that they can't afford it," Miller said. "Especially during the holiday season."
Miller questions why necessary adjustments couldn't be made during the Christmas break and feels families were informed about the plan too late.
After the asynchronous learning period concludes, the district plans to hold a Virtual Information Night on Thursday, Dec. 20 from 6-7 p.m. A link will be sent to families ahead of the meeting.
District officials did not respond to WBOC's inquiries regarding accommodations for students who require supervision at home but do not have caretakers available to stay with them.